Board of Directors — 2024-25

Laura Ward – President

Laura is a member of the Tla’amin Nation but is currently a visitor on the unceded traditional lands of the Musqueam, Tsleil-Waututh, and Squamish Nations. She has been actively involved at both the PAC and DPAC levels with SD41 as well as many other community initiatives throughout the city of Burnaby. She has a passion for building community capacity and finding the gifts that community members have to offer.

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Alicia Rempel – 1st Vice-President

Alicia is a proud mom to three daughters in the Langley School District and a dedicated nonprofit executive. Since 2013, she has been actively involved in Parent Advisory Councils and the District Parent Advisory Council serving in various leadership roles. She is passionate about ensuring all students have access to quality education and the support they need to thrive in school. She is honoured to live, work and learn on the unceded, traditional territories of the Matsqui, Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo First Nations and values the power of collaboration and partnership to create meaningful change and strengthen the community.

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Jennifer Rak – 2nd Vice-President

Jennifer is a mother of 2 who lives in North Delta on the traditional lands of the Tsawwassen and Musqueam people. She has volunteered in many roles with PAC for over 11 years and this her third year as the DPAC Chair in Delta. She is passionate about promoting advocacy, bringing mental health supports to those in need and building a strong community for the education of the children in her district. She believes it takes a village to raise a child and the parents & caregivers play an important role in the education of future generations.

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Chase Leushner – Treasurer

Chase lives and works on the traditional, unceded territories of the Sinixt and Ktunaxa peoples. He has worked in many different roles, and brings a strong background in financial management, problem-solving, and streamlining processes. Currently, he manages finances for an Indigenous-serving non-profit. Chase is passionate about learning new skills and has trained as a carpenter and an electrician, developed software, and even built his own tiny home. As a father of twin 5-year-old boys, he is passionate about ensuring our schools are set up for success and that our kids have every opportunity to thrive. In his free time, Chase enjoys tinkering, hiking, snowboarding, gaming, and always has a dozen projects on the go.

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Meredith Laird - Secretary

Meredith has two children in K-12 in SD 36 (Surrey) and works in supporting curriculum at a post-secondary institution. Their degree is in cognitive experimental psychology, and their interests include parliamentary procedure and community engagement. They are grateful to have lived in peace as an uninvited guest on the territories of the Anishinabe Algonquin, Haudenosaunee, and Coast Salish peoples.

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Victoria Brekkaas – Indigenous Director

I live in Dawson Creek which is situated in Treaty 8 territory, the traditional, ancestral, unceded and shared lands of the Sicannie, Slavey, Dene/Dane-Zaa, Cree, Saulteaux, and Métis peoples. I have 2 children who have graduated and 4 who are still in school grades 3, 7, 8 and 12. I also have 4 step children, 2 of which who have graduated and one in each grade 11 and grade 12. Alongside many other children who have called my house 'home' over the years. I hold a social services worker diploma and when I am not working or busy being mom you can find me being active within the school district sitting on the PAC, a a representative with the Indigenous Parents Advisory Council as well as sitting chair for the SD59 DPAC. I am also active in many other volunteer organizations and societies within the Peace Region.

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Kendra Mann - Director

Kendra has been actively involved at the PAC, DPAC, and BCCPAC level for 15 years and has been part of the SD#8 and now SD#20 Advocacy project. She has one daughter who graduated in 2019 and has 2 other daughters in grade 11 and 12. Kendra and her family reside in School District #20 on the traditional, shared and unceded territory of the Knutaxa. Kutenai, and Sinixt people. When Kendra is not volunteering for PAC, DPAC, BCCPAC, Girl Guides of Canada or any of her other volunteer commitments she can be found paddleboarding or camping when the weather is warm. Kendra brings with her 20 years of Administration experience in a work environment to the BCCPAC board of Directors.

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Keirsten Tymko - Director

Keirsten is raising 4 children on Vancouver Island. She has been heavily involved at a PAC and DPAC level with district 79 for many years and has recently found an enthusiasm for public education at a provincial level. Keirsten lives, owns a business, coaches, and sends her children to school as uninvited settlers, on the land of the Stz’uminus, Penekelut, Halalt and Lysackson people. Keirsten's passion for Truth and Reconciliation, and inclusive learning is very evident and she is thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of an organization that shares those values.

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Alex Mullaly - Director

Alex has been involved in a variety of roles, for the volunteer sector over the years; from committees to elected boards. He inspires and encourages all who can, to participate; within their capacities and actively works to build upon the communities in which his family grows into. Alex and his family have the privilege of currently adventuring and settling on the traditional, shared and unceded Territory of the həṅq̓əmín̓əḿ speaking People of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation.

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Trish Coft - Director

Trish works as a Project Manager on the shared, traditional, and unceded territory of the Katzie First Nation and Kwantlen First Nation. She has two children, ages 19 and 10, and has been actively involved with the PAC since 2010. Over the years, she has held various roles as a volunteer on boards as well as PAC and DPAC and is the Current Chair of the Maple Ridge – Pitt Meadows DPAC. Raised in a household that emphasized volunteering, her dedication naturally aligns with helping others. She firmly believes in the importance of listening more than speaking, fostering trust, and cultivating strong partnerships with all stakeholders. Trish is open to discussions and challenges, readily assuming any role required to achieve set goals or benchmarks. Whether it involves taking the lead or recognizing when another person is better suited, she is prepared to take on whatever role is necessary to achieve success.

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Tisha Krafte – Director

Tisha is a proud mom of one who lives in Langley. She is honoured to live, work and learn on the unceded, traditional territories of the Matsqui, Kwantlen, Katzie, and Semiahmoo First Nations. She has been involved with her local PAC and DPAC since 2019. She is dedicated in creating stronger communities by focusing on empowering families and fostering inclusion. She believes that every child deserves a chance to thrive. She works closely with schools and families to ensure that they are equipped to meet the diverse needs of students.

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Tracy Humphreys – Executive Director

Tracy is a settler on the stolen lands of the Lekwungen and Wsanec Peoples. She has ADHD and autism, and is a parent to three amazing children with disabilities. She has also been an active volunteer in BC schools in many roles for over 25 years and was awarded the 2019 Victoria Community Leadership Award in Lifelong Learning for her work as the founder and Executive Director of the BCEdAccess Society, advocating for equitable access to education for children and youth with disabilities.